June 28, 2021

This paid piece is sponsored by Vance Thompson Vision.

Aging is an inevitable and unifying experience with rites of passage that bring us together — often around some kindhearted ribbing. Laughter and solidarity are good medicine we do well to embrace along with our multivitamins.

However, there are signs of aging that aren’t as unifying or as lighthearted. One of them is cataracts. A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens in your eye. Though painless, cataracts can blur your vision by restricting the amount of light that enters your eye. In addition to hazy vision, symptoms of cataracts include increasing nighttime glare, poor night vision and a change in how your eyes perceive colors.

The clouding of your lens is a serious problem, and many patients who come to Vance Thompson Vision describe cataracts as isolating. Their ability to drive can become limited to nonexistent. It’s challenging to prepare meals when they have to decipher recipes and make sense of stove dials. During family game night, they struggle to read the cards they are dealt.

Along with their growing limitations, patients understandably wrestle with their feelings. Many of them say something along the lines of “now I’m really falling apart!” Because of those feelings and a desire not to cede their independence and vitality, it is common for them to put off doing something about their declining vision.

Waiting isn’t without some merit. Most people’s lenses naturally will become a bit cloudy as they age, and because cataracts tend to develop slowly, surgery may not be immediately necessary. But when your ability to read, drive or carry out other everyday activities is hindered in any way, cataract surgery likely will be the best possible solution.

When it is, the world-class surgeons at Vance Thompson Vision will be here for you. Their advice? Don’t spend a day longer than necessary with cloudy vision. Following cataract surgery, patients often say “Why did I wait so long?” In other words, addressing your cataracts while you’re active enough to enjoy the benefits of clear vision is a better return on investment.

Unsure if it’s time for cataract surgery? Schedule a consultation with Vance Thompson Vision by calling 605-361-EYES (3937) or visit vancethompsonvision.com/contact-us.